2014-15 Conference Champs

Lawrence Roland Timmons

Attended Wyandotte High School. Earned varsity letters in football and track 1937-38. Was the all-star halfback in the Northeast Kansas League and the All-City League. In track, won Northeast Kansas League Title, Baker Relays, the regional meet and a triangular meet. Set the Wyandotte High School Track Record in 880-yard relay and was captain of the track team. Attended Baker University in 1938-43. Earned eight varsity letters: football (4) and track (4). Only guard chosen all-conference three years in a row. All-state guard two years. 1941-captain all-conference team; line captain of Kansas All-Star Team, rated best all-around lineman in state.

In track was a member of three Kansas Conference championship teams 1940-42. Ran in first annual Missouri Valley Track Relays. Broke and held several individual track meet records. Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. President of “B” Club. Sophomore class vice president; junior class secretary and president senior class treasurer. His degree was in business and economics. Took civilian pilot training. Earned a teaching certificate in education and athletics. Assistant football coach for first team (1942) in Baker history to complete a season untied or undefeated. Was offered a number of pro football contracts from 1939 to 1945: Philadelphia Eagles, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Americans, Cleveland Rams, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Served in the U.S. navy during World War II. Attended the V-7 Navy Midshipman school, at Notre Dame University. Member of the famous Tuney-Fish naval Physical Education Program. This program was headed by heavyweight boxer Gene Tuney and George Halas, owner-coach of the Chicago Bears. Graduated No. 2 out of the 250 former athletes, coaches and “hand picked” participants. In 1944 played in the first football game ever played in Manila, Phillipines as a member of the Seventh Fleet All-Star Team. During the war set up welfare and recreation programs and motion picture exchanges in the Pacific theater of operations. Signed to play with the Chicago Bears but was forced by injury to retire in 1945 after a short season.

His career following the war and pro football was spent with Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp. and the Ford Motor Co. Retired to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1978 because of a serious back injury. Maintains memberships in a number of local activities and participates in several community service activities. Married to Lillian Myers in 1949. They have two children, Stephen and Jane.

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Nomination Procedures

Anyone is eligible to write an open letter of nomination regarding an individual they believe to be worthy of induction to the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame. The nominations must be received by December 31 to be considered for induction during the next calendar year. Once an individual is nominated, he or she remain in an active file for review by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The selection committee sends recommendations in the spring to the President of the University for final approval for fall induction.